Gus Hansen just added another 90,000 to his stack with the elimination of Fabrice Messina.
We walked up on the hand as Gus was considering to call a ~50,000 all-in re-raise from Messina; there was approximately 100,000 already in the pot.
"Pretty sure I'm calling," said Gus. "I just want to think for a second."
Apparently annoyed that he was priced in to call, Gus mumbled something or other in another language and slung the chips required to make the call across the betting line.
Gus was pleased to find out that he was slightly ahead in the hand, with pocket sevens against Messina's .
The flop came and Gus commented, "That's an exciting flop."
The then fell on the turn and drew collective "Ooh's" and "Aww's" from the peanut gallery.
The river brought an inconsequential , sealing Gus' win and the crowd gave Messina a round of applause as he exited the tournament area.
We've been informed by the tournament staff that play will cease for the evening either when the field hits 48 players, or at the end of level nine.
According to the tournament clock, there are 53 players remaining and we're getting closer and closer to the money bubble. If today's rate of play is any indicator, we're more than likely hit 48 players long before level nine.
We approach the table with the turn just dealt giving us a board. Guillaume De La Gorce is in the small blind and leads out for a 15,000 bet that Michael Mizrachi calls.
The river brings another bet from the small blind, this time for a total of 35,000. Mizrachi sits there, supping a beer, not looking very comfortable with his situation. He throws the call in anyway and his fears are confirmed when De La Gorce reveals . Mizrachi flashes an ace as he folds.
De La Gorce on 370,000 now while Mizrachi sits on 235,000.
Stalling is typical of most multi-table tournaments, but what we're witnessing here in Cannes is stalling like we've never seen it before.
We're currently three players away from the money and players are using every last second to make their decisions -- even decisions as simple as checking the big blind.
One player, a short stack of course, sat for two full minutes in the big blind before knuckling the table, signaling to the dealer that he was ready to see the flop. Once the flop was spread, he waiting another minute before checking again. Action then checked around to a player on the button who led out with a bet and the decision returned to our feature staller who -- you guessed it -- sat for another two minutes before folding his hand. The best part was, he put on one helluva show, scratching his head... checking and re-checking his cards... stacking and re-stacking his chips... the works.
We haven't heard any complaints from the players yet, but if this continues, you can expect a few of the more experienced players to speak up.
Guy Pourprix got his money in great against Stephane Bazin, holding pocket kings against Bazin's fives in what was a pre-flop all-in confrontation.
With his tournament life on the line, Pourprix looked in great shape to double up until the board filled out , giving Bazin the wheel. The surrounding spectators let out a collective sigh on Pourprix's behalf and then gave him a round of applause as he exited the tournament area just three places away from the money.